Gothenburg

Practical Info about Gothenburg

Getting around the city

Getting around in Gothenburg is fairly simple thanks to the city's organised layout. The city centre is pedestrian-friendly, and walking is considered the best way to take in all the sights. Bicycles are also available for hire, and a network of bike paths make it a pleasant and convenient mode of transport. Public transportation is made up of a network of buses, trams, and ferries operated by Västtrafik. Tickets are sold at 7-Eleven shops, Västtrafik service centres, and Pressbyrån shops. Single tickets are also available on trams; however, one, three, or 30-day tickets can be a more economical option for busy travellers. Bicycle and tram traffic can make driving in Gothenburg a bit confusing, and renting a car is generally only necessary for trips outside the city centre. Taxis are available by phone but they are not regulated and are considered rather expensive; a trip of two and a half miles (4km) can easily cost SEK 200.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electric current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin plugs are used.

Currency

The Swedish currency is the Krona (SEK), which is divided into 100 öre. Banks exchange money during business hours from Monday to Friday. At other times money can be changed at airports, ferry terminals, post offices and Forex exchange offices, which are open daily. There are numerous ATMs throughout the country, most of which accept MasterCard and Visa. Most major credit cards are widely accepted for payment throughout Sweden.

Communication

The country code for Sweden is +46. Public telephones are available and there is good coverage across the country for mobile telephones, which use different GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in all the cities and towns.

Climate

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Gothenburg is located on the west coast of southern Sweden and has an oceanic climate, enjoying milder weather than one might expect, due to the moderating influence of the warm Gulf Stream. In summer, between June and August, the city gets as much as 17 hours of daylight, but in the winter months, between December and February, Gothenburg only gets about seven hours of daylight. Summers are warm with average high temperatures of 72°F (22°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C), but temperatures of around 77°F - 86 °F (25°C to 30°C) can occur. Winters are cold and windy with average temperatures around freezing, but seldom dropping below 14°F (-10°C). Snow falls mainly between December and March, but it is not unusual in November and April, and can even fall in October and May. Gothenburg is a rainy city, with moderate rainfall possible at any time of year. Every month the city experiences between 10 and 18 rainy days. The best time to visit Gothenburg is between May and September, with the peak tourist season being the short summer, between June and August. Even at this time, rain and cold weather is possible and travellers should pack layers to prepare for both sunny warm weather and cold wet weather.

Göteborg-Landvetter International Airport

Getting to the city

An airport bus departs every 15 minutes (in peak hours) to the city centre; a local bus network is also available. Tickets are available from self-service machines or on the bus.

Car rental

Car rental agencies at the airport include Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar.

Airport taxi's

Taxis are available outside the International Arrivals Hall, while prebooked taxis wait outside the Domestic Arrivals Hall. Fares to Gothenburg are charged a fixed price.

Transfer between terminals

The terminals are within walking distance of each other.

Facilities

A full banking service and foreign exchange are offered, ATMs are available in the International Arrivals and Domestic Departures halls. There are several bars, cafes and restaurants in the airport. Other facilities include an internet café, safe deposit boxes, children's playgrounds, tourist information and various stores and duty-free shopping. Those with disabilities are well catered for.

Parking

Long and short-term car parking options are available. Lots P2, P3 and P4 are adjacent to the terminal while P5, P6 and P7 are a bit farther away.